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The Lost Gods #2
Burning Bright
Nine gods ruled the world, until the ultimate betrayal resulted in their destruction. Now, the world is dying and only by restoring the Lost Gods can it be saved. In the land of Pozhar, the people fear the return of Zhar Ptitsa, the god of souls and rebirth who nearly destroyed them nine hundred years ago in a terrible rage. To prevent his rebirth, the people hunt down and sacrifice Vessels, those born with a piece of Zhar Ptitsa's soul within them. The Sacred Texts say that one thousand such Vessels will be born and all must be sacrificed to destroy Zhar Ptitsa once and for all. Now, only two pieces remain in the bodies of two thieves who will not go to the Flames without a fight.
206 pages, Paperback
First published March 13, 2012
26 people are currently reading
341 people want to read
About the author
Megan Derr
283 books2,945 followersMegan is a long time resident of queer romance and keeps herself busy reading and writing it. She is often accused of fluff and nonsense. When she’s not involved in writing, she likes to cook, harass her wife and cats, or watch movies. She loves to hear from readers and can be found all over the internet.
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meganderr.com
patreon.com/meganderr
meganderr.blogspot.com
facebook.com/meganaprilderr
meganaderr@gmail.com
@meganaderr
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
May 21, 2012
Review first posted at Joyfully Jay.
Rating: 5 stars
Nine hundred years ago in the land of Pozhar, Zhar Ptitsa, god of souls and rebirth, nearly destroyed all his people in a fit of rage. To stop him, a mage broke him into 1,000 pieces and scattered them into the souls of people present and not yet born throughout the land. Now the world is dying. For some, the only way to save it is to resurrect the Lost Gods. For others, they would sacrifice everything, including themselves, to make sure that never happens.
The Sacred Texts call those whose souls carry pieces of the god Vessels. The people of Pozhar so fear the rebirth of Zhar Ptitsa, that they have systematically hunted down and sacrificed the Vessels through the years. As one Vessel is thrown on the flames, another is called into awareness by magical means. One by one, nine hundred and ninety-eight Vessels have been sacrificed on the alter of fire and rebirth. Now only two Vessels remain, unaware that their souls contain pieces of a god.
Raz and Pechal are two of the best thieves in the Kingdom. When Ailill, a White Beast of Verde, hires Ivan and his a band of mercenaries, called the Wolves of Pozhar, to steal back a piece of sacred jewelry, there are only two thieves capable of such a high profile theft. For the jeweled comb is in the hands of the Minister of Magic who lives within the castle, and only Pachal has been successful in entering without rousing the guards. Raz has been looking for that retirement job, one where his fee is so high that he and Peshal can buy a small farm and become honest again. He worries constantly about his best friend, who is much younger than he is and so fragile. This theft will see an end to their life of constant hunger, rags for clothes, and fear of constant imprisonment. He agrees to take this mission and join the diverse gang of mercs, thieves, and noblemen.
As the small band prepares to steal back the jewels, the hunt resumes with fervor to identify, capture, and sacrifice the last two Vessels on the alter inside the Cathedral of Sacred Fires. For the king, Tsar Zarya, is dying, the snowfall is earlier and heavier than ever before, and the people grow weary of the killing of innocents. Dym, the High Priest of Pozhar, is desperate to finish the sacrifices and set in motion his long held plans. But the best thieves are hard to catch. What will happen when they realize they are the last Vessels of Pozhar?
The Lost Gods is turning into such a stunning series, diverse in content and emotional flavor, complicated plots populated with complex, sympathetic, all too human characters that will make you laugh and weep, sometimes on the same page. Treasure was a rousing adventure on the high seas, with dragons, princes, mermaids, and hidden agendas. For all its title, Burning Bright heads in another direction, more localized in geographical area and deeper in content while still continuing with the overall theme of sacrifice and predestination.
Pozhar is a kingdom of fire and rebirth. Its citizens' eyes and hair carry the colors of fire, from the deepest of reds, to red hot oranges and yellows. They greet each other with "May the fires warm and greet you." Their epithets use adjectives such as "scorching idiot," to the affectionate "little sparks," to shutting someone up with an abrupt "douse it." Fire and ash are always with them. Yet now the snows come early and often, and the formerly hearty and gregarious people are losing their well-known warmth as the constant killing, squabbling, and conflict takes its toll on the population. Through the eyes of each character, you get a real feel of a nation falling apart from the ground up.
The story is told from the POV of several of the main characters. In other books I've read this technique sometimes renders the story disorientating. Here it gives us immediate access into the thoughts and emotions of each character, which is crucial when showing the impact the sacrifice of the Vessels has on each of them. The death of innocents is an explosive emotional theme and it is essential to our ability to empathize with the characters to grasp what this means to them. Especially the High Priest Dym who personally attends to each Vessel before he sees them to their death in the flames. He is tormented by doubt, wavering between his belief that the sacrifices are necessary to achieve his goal and the actuality of being the one to watch each and every one die consumed by flames, burned alive before his eyes. Dym would be so easy to hate if you were unable to feel what this has cost him, his unrelieved pain and anguish hidden behind his calm resolve.
Then there is Lord Nikolai Krasny, Duke of Alkaev and Advisor to the Tsar. He was introduced in Treasure and his promise as a fascinating character there is fulfilled here in Burning Bright. Brilliant in demeanor and mind, cold in character, his vision is large in scope. He's very aware of the conflict within his nation, court intrigue is a mere game compared to the losses he has already endured. His sister was a Vessel and the only man he has ever loved refuted him and now lays dying. His remote, sarcastic voice is a needed contrast to those characters grounded in obligation and quiet suffering.
Also reappearing from Treasure is the wonderfully slutty and adventuresome White Beast of Verde, Ailill. The noble shapeshifter brings a much needed levity and sexuality with him. I adored the brief glimpse of him onboard the Kumita and was thrilled to see how heavily involved he is here. Ivan and his band of mercenaries, the Wolves of Pozhar, form a sort of outlaw Greek chorus. They don't care much for religion, and see no reason for the sacrifices. Loyalty to each other and their own flexible set of morals/rules is what guides them. Finally, there is Raz and Pachal, the little sparks and our endearing young thieves. They become the heart and heartbreak of this story. You will quickly come to love them, as do all the denizens of the markets and brothels, and poor of the city. Derr has almost done too well a job with these two because you care for them so deeply and root for them with all your heart. I am not sure I have forgiven her yet for some of the events here but forgiveness also seems to be a common thread throughout the Lost Gods saga, so I am waiting to see how it all plays out.
Each book in this series centers on one Kingdom and its Lost God. In Treasure it was Kundou and the Three Dragons of the Storm. Burning Bright is the story of Poshar and its Lost God, Zhar Ptitsa. Book three is called Stone Rose and features the kingdom of Pierdre with its Lost God, the Basilisk, to be followed by the books Poison and Chaos. Slowly, each convoluted puzzle piece falls into place as the tale of the Lost Gods is painstakingly assembled. Like a Rubic's Cube, each story has the same intricate structure. Each character plays multiple rolls, each supposed dead end reveals a hidden passage, a character of seeming little consequence later reappears much changed in status and power. Death and rebirth are constant companions. Little things that bothered me in Treasure are resolved (somewhat) here, but the final solutions and answers to all our questions may not come until the very end of the last book in the Lost Gods series.
Can one love a book when you find no joyfulness in reading it? For me the answer is yes. I gloried in the tale, even as I had the taste of ash in my mouth. In fact I will reread this one and will probably hold the entire series close. This is not a tale of romance, although love plays its part. Derr is giving us an incredible epic, spanning the ages, continents, and even death. Each book should be read in succession and as a part of the series to get the full impact and role each kingdom and its people will play in the final battle for the Lost Gods. You will both love and hate Burning Bright. Have several boxes of tissue handy. I did and still do. I cannot wait for Stone Rose to come out and the epic of the Lost Gods to continue. Kudos to Derr for giving us two remarkable books in what promises to be one of the most extraordinary fantasy series in recent memory.
Cover: The covers are growing on me. Each cover is a map of the kingdom involved, done in a way to resemble parchment. The color choice carries over from the colors of the people of each kingdom. Treasure has a blue cover to go with a kingdom by the sea and its people with hair and eyes the color of the sea. Burning Bright has an orange or burnt cover perfect for citizens of Pozhar with hair and eyes the color of fire. A simple concept for a cover of a book complex in story and character.
Rating: 5 stars
Nine hundred years ago in the land of Pozhar, Zhar Ptitsa, god of souls and rebirth, nearly destroyed all his people in a fit of rage. To stop him, a mage broke him into 1,000 pieces and scattered them into the souls of people present and not yet born throughout the land. Now the world is dying. For some, the only way to save it is to resurrect the Lost Gods. For others, they would sacrifice everything, including themselves, to make sure that never happens.
The Sacred Texts call those whose souls carry pieces of the god Vessels. The people of Pozhar so fear the rebirth of Zhar Ptitsa, that they have systematically hunted down and sacrificed the Vessels through the years. As one Vessel is thrown on the flames, another is called into awareness by magical means. One by one, nine hundred and ninety-eight Vessels have been sacrificed on the alter of fire and rebirth. Now only two Vessels remain, unaware that their souls contain pieces of a god.
Raz and Pechal are two of the best thieves in the Kingdom. When Ailill, a White Beast of Verde, hires Ivan and his a band of mercenaries, called the Wolves of Pozhar, to steal back a piece of sacred jewelry, there are only two thieves capable of such a high profile theft. For the jeweled comb is in the hands of the Minister of Magic who lives within the castle, and only Pachal has been successful in entering without rousing the guards. Raz has been looking for that retirement job, one where his fee is so high that he and Peshal can buy a small farm and become honest again. He worries constantly about his best friend, who is much younger than he is and so fragile. This theft will see an end to their life of constant hunger, rags for clothes, and fear of constant imprisonment. He agrees to take this mission and join the diverse gang of mercs, thieves, and noblemen.
As the small band prepares to steal back the jewels, the hunt resumes with fervor to identify, capture, and sacrifice the last two Vessels on the alter inside the Cathedral of Sacred Fires. For the king, Tsar Zarya, is dying, the snowfall is earlier and heavier than ever before, and the people grow weary of the killing of innocents. Dym, the High Priest of Pozhar, is desperate to finish the sacrifices and set in motion his long held plans. But the best thieves are hard to catch. What will happen when they realize they are the last Vessels of Pozhar?
The Lost Gods is turning into such a stunning series, diverse in content and emotional flavor, complicated plots populated with complex, sympathetic, all too human characters that will make you laugh and weep, sometimes on the same page. Treasure was a rousing adventure on the high seas, with dragons, princes, mermaids, and hidden agendas. For all its title, Burning Bright heads in another direction, more localized in geographical area and deeper in content while still continuing with the overall theme of sacrifice and predestination.
Pozhar is a kingdom of fire and rebirth. Its citizens' eyes and hair carry the colors of fire, from the deepest of reds, to red hot oranges and yellows. They greet each other with "May the fires warm and greet you." Their epithets use adjectives such as "scorching idiot," to the affectionate "little sparks," to shutting someone up with an abrupt "douse it." Fire and ash are always with them. Yet now the snows come early and often, and the formerly hearty and gregarious people are losing their well-known warmth as the constant killing, squabbling, and conflict takes its toll on the population. Through the eyes of each character, you get a real feel of a nation falling apart from the ground up.
The story is told from the POV of several of the main characters. In other books I've read this technique sometimes renders the story disorientating. Here it gives us immediate access into the thoughts and emotions of each character, which is crucial when showing the impact the sacrifice of the Vessels has on each of them. The death of innocents is an explosive emotional theme and it is essential to our ability to empathize with the characters to grasp what this means to them. Especially the High Priest Dym who personally attends to each Vessel before he sees them to their death in the flames. He is tormented by doubt, wavering between his belief that the sacrifices are necessary to achieve his goal and the actuality of being the one to watch each and every one die consumed by flames, burned alive before his eyes. Dym would be so easy to hate if you were unable to feel what this has cost him, his unrelieved pain and anguish hidden behind his calm resolve.
Then there is Lord Nikolai Krasny, Duke of Alkaev and Advisor to the Tsar. He was introduced in Treasure and his promise as a fascinating character there is fulfilled here in Burning Bright. Brilliant in demeanor and mind, cold in character, his vision is large in scope. He's very aware of the conflict within his nation, court intrigue is a mere game compared to the losses he has already endured. His sister was a Vessel and the only man he has ever loved refuted him and now lays dying. His remote, sarcastic voice is a needed contrast to those characters grounded in obligation and quiet suffering.
Also reappearing from Treasure is the wonderfully slutty and adventuresome White Beast of Verde, Ailill. The noble shapeshifter brings a much needed levity and sexuality with him. I adored the brief glimpse of him onboard the Kumita and was thrilled to see how heavily involved he is here. Ivan and his band of mercenaries, the Wolves of Pozhar, form a sort of outlaw Greek chorus. They don't care much for religion, and see no reason for the sacrifices. Loyalty to each other and their own flexible set of morals/rules is what guides them. Finally, there is Raz and Pachal, the little sparks and our endearing young thieves. They become the heart and heartbreak of this story. You will quickly come to love them, as do all the denizens of the markets and brothels, and poor of the city. Derr has almost done too well a job with these two because you care for them so deeply and root for them with all your heart. I am not sure I have forgiven her yet for some of the events here but forgiveness also seems to be a common thread throughout the Lost Gods saga, so I am waiting to see how it all plays out.
Each book in this series centers on one Kingdom and its Lost God. In Treasure it was Kundou and the Three Dragons of the Storm. Burning Bright is the story of Poshar and its Lost God, Zhar Ptitsa. Book three is called Stone Rose and features the kingdom of Pierdre with its Lost God, the Basilisk, to be followed by the books Poison and Chaos. Slowly, each convoluted puzzle piece falls into place as the tale of the Lost Gods is painstakingly assembled. Like a Rubic's Cube, each story has the same intricate structure. Each character plays multiple rolls, each supposed dead end reveals a hidden passage, a character of seeming little consequence later reappears much changed in status and power. Death and rebirth are constant companions. Little things that bothered me in Treasure are resolved (somewhat) here, but the final solutions and answers to all our questions may not come until the very end of the last book in the Lost Gods series.
Can one love a book when you find no joyfulness in reading it? For me the answer is yes. I gloried in the tale, even as I had the taste of ash in my mouth. In fact I will reread this one and will probably hold the entire series close. This is not a tale of romance, although love plays its part. Derr is giving us an incredible epic, spanning the ages, continents, and even death. Each book should be read in succession and as a part of the series to get the full impact and role each kingdom and its people will play in the final battle for the Lost Gods. You will both love and hate Burning Bright. Have several boxes of tissue handy. I did and still do. I cannot wait for Stone Rose to come out and the epic of the Lost Gods to continue. Kudos to Derr for giving us two remarkable books in what promises to be one of the most extraordinary fantasy series in recent memory.
Cover: The covers are growing on me. Each cover is a map of the kingdom involved, done in a way to resemble parchment. The color choice carries over from the colors of the people of each kingdom. Treasure has a blue cover to go with a kingdom by the sea and its people with hair and eyes the color of the sea. Burning Bright has an orange or burnt cover perfect for citizens of Pozhar with hair and eyes the color of fire. A simple concept for a cover of a book complex in story and character.
May 31, 2012
Hands down ten times better than Treasure, though I loved it as well. Burning Bright, though, really balances everything well -- plot, pacing, mystery & suspense, characterization, romance (though slight), and world-building. It was very well structured and kept me on the edge of my seat well into the night. The slow pace (overall) of this world might bother some people because in the vast picture of things, we're not a whole lot farther than we were in Treasure, but I love the books' individual stories and characters. I can only imagine how they'll all tie together and I can't wait to read them all to find out!
April 22, 2022
The next one will have to wait until payday. Didn't have a clue where this one was going and its been a while since I read the first. Curious about the white beast and the role Ivan plays. Shame about the other thief. The romance between Raz and Dym was pretty subtle, but sweet. Would've been nice if they had a bit more time together once reunited. Curious about the next god.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2024
This is a bit darker fantasy world from Megan Derr. I'm really liking the setting but the romances are left a bit too much to the background. There are two couples like in the first novel and there's just way too little time to really go into both. Still, I'm definitely interested enough to continue the series, maybe I just need to adjust my expectations towards fantasy adventure more than romance.
October 6, 2019
Another 3.5 to 4 star book. Good story, interesting with teasing romances on the side. The 'why does it hurt to look at you' line kept me hooked. It was interesting that at the end the Dynamics switched. Dym and Raz were not when I expected. Still over all very much enjoy this but too much use of the 'fire and ash' and 'scorch' curses. Repetitive!
March 12, 2023
Good characters, fantastic worldbuilding, already bought book 3. No higher recommendation.
March 21, 2012
Reviewed on Hearts On Fire... http://heartsonfirereviews.com/
Burning Bright was pretty dim in my opinion. I had high hopes that Ms Derr's second installment in the Lost Gods series would be much better than the first but was sadly let down. The book was terribly drawn out and the characters were just very one dimensional. There was an amazing lack of action for a fantasy story and what action there was just felt flat. The god of souls and rebirth, Zhar Ptitsa, was split into 1000 pieces when he was vanquished nine hundred years ago. A piece of his soul was put into a different person or vessel by his head priest. The people of Pozhar have been hunting down and destroying the 1000 vessels as they find them in an effort to stop the gods rebirth. Two vessels now remain but the high priest Dym is having a hard time killing them because he is in love with Zhar Ptitsa. The story is filled with all kinds of political intrigues which were mostly unnecessary to the main story. The conflict between counselor Kransky and minister of magic Zholty was interesting and the character Dym was likeable. The other cast of what seemed hundreds were either extraneous or were introduced because they will play a part in book three. All in all I feel that this series is well worth skipping as much better fantasy books are out there.
Burning Bright was pretty dim in my opinion. I had high hopes that Ms Derr's second installment in the Lost Gods series would be much better than the first but was sadly let down. The book was terribly drawn out and the characters were just very one dimensional. There was an amazing lack of action for a fantasy story and what action there was just felt flat. The god of souls and rebirth, Zhar Ptitsa, was split into 1000 pieces when he was vanquished nine hundred years ago. A piece of his soul was put into a different person or vessel by his head priest. The people of Pozhar have been hunting down and destroying the 1000 vessels as they find them in an effort to stop the gods rebirth. Two vessels now remain but the high priest Dym is having a hard time killing them because he is in love with Zhar Ptitsa. The story is filled with all kinds of political intrigues which were mostly unnecessary to the main story. The conflict between counselor Kransky and minister of magic Zholty was interesting and the character Dym was likeable. The other cast of what seemed hundreds were either extraneous or were introduced because they will play a part in book three. All in all I feel that this series is well worth skipping as much better fantasy books are out there.
August 27, 2023
Amost the same review as the one of Treasure.
The world building is really intriguing, but the story is told very superficial. The missing depth, all the details that were left out and the fact that the story was told, rather than experienced are again clearly negative aspects.
I really enjoyed the style, the story, the characters and the world building very much, but it had so much potential to be something more. I like Megan Derr, though I wish she worked together with an author of good epic fantasy - together they could create real master pieces. This time there are thankfully female side characters, the lack of which annoyed me after having read two almost complete male books by Megan.
Also: needs editing.
EDIT:
After reading it asecond fifth time, just like with the first installment, I didn't mind the negative points that much. I knew what to expect and enjoyed it very much, a great read.
There is much that could have been deeper, better, simply more - nevertheless, I loved it despite its flaws, 4 stars every time!
The world building is really intriguing, but the story is told very superficial. The missing depth, all the details that were left out and the fact that the story was told, rather than experienced are again clearly negative aspects.
I really enjoyed the style, the story, the characters and the world building very much, but it had so much potential to be something more. I like Megan Derr, though I wish she worked together with an author of good epic fantasy - together they could create real master pieces. This time there are thankfully female side characters, the lack of which annoyed me after having read two almost complete male books by Megan.
Also: needs editing.
EDIT:
After reading it a
There is much that could have been deeper, better, simply more - nevertheless, I loved it despite its flaws, 4 stars every time!
September 26, 2012
I love it when a book manages to surprise me, which only happens rarely nowadays. Well, this one did, in many many ways. I've felt an entire palette of very different emotions, from chuckling to wanting to cry. This story definitely burns bright in the world of fantasy.
May 29, 2012
Чуть похуже, чем первая книга, но все равно хорошо. Автора люблюнимагу.
May 10, 2017
This is a marvelously written phoenix god tale, takes place in an alternate universe of Russia. If the first book takes place in AU of Japan, using Japanese names, traditional clothing, culture, and folk tale... then of course this second book will reminds you of Russia with the Russian names, the traditional clothing (the colors range from brown, orange, and red) and especially the Russian fairy tale : Tsarevitch Ivan, the Firebird and the Gray Wolf (more longer and detail version, read it here), however Derr added her own touch to it to suit her own tale, lol. In the end of the original tale of King Ivan and wolf, Ivan married Helen, however in Derr's version, Ivan married the wolf, which is a shifter, hahaha.
I do like Derr's version of Ivan and Wolf better than the original tale, haha. I also read a brief version of the Russian's firebird/phoenix tale on Wiki. But I love Derr's more. Also, I think the tale about The Boy and Golden Apple in this book is somewhat inspired by Tsarevitch Ivan, the Firebird and the Gray Wolf tale, CMIIW though. And if you want to read another Russian fairy tales, click here.
Basically, this book is the continuation of the first prophecy (in the 1st book) in which stated that once again, the nine lost gods of five nations will come back and rule the world again after overthrown by their own people due to the jealousy and anger over their mighty gods (ah, humannn....), it's started from the resurrection of the three dragon gods of Kundou nation (book 1), followed by the rebirth of the phoenix god of Pozhar nation (book 2). I can't wait to discover how the prophecy of Basilisk god will be fulfilled in book 3. Such a pity that most people won't even bother to give this wonderful series a chance, just because it's BL. Not to mention, there are so many amazing BL fantasy out there that I've read this year that sadly are not popular, most people tend to avoid it if they learned it's BL, they can't stomach the idea of two men as lovers, because "it's not normal for them". Oh well, their loss. ;p
Just like the 1st book, this one is also shelved in my Favorite shelf, because it's the kind of book that I'll reread no matter how many times in my life. So far, I share the same opinion with other readers that this book 2 is the best in the series (well, my opinion might change later after I read all the books in this series), in terms of plot. Well the romance part is kinda set aside for that but that's okay, I'm very very satisfied with this book, as I'm being very picky and easy to DNF novels recently, so when I stamped this as Favorite, trust me it's because the book is successfully wowed me to the point that I was glued to the screen happily. Sleep? Eat? Drink? forget them.
Off to book 3, with great excitement.
I do like Derr's version of Ivan and Wolf better than the original tale, haha. I also read a brief version of the Russian's firebird/phoenix tale on Wiki. But I love Derr's more. Also, I think the tale about The Boy and Golden Apple in this book is somewhat inspired by Tsarevitch Ivan, the Firebird and the Gray Wolf tale, CMIIW though. And if you want to read another Russian fairy tales, click here.
Basically, this book is the continuation of the first prophecy (in the 1st book) in which stated that once again, the nine lost gods of five nations will come back and rule the world again after overthrown by their own people due to the jealousy and anger over their mighty gods (ah, humannn....), it's started from the resurrection of the three dragon gods of Kundou nation (book 1), followed by the rebirth of the phoenix god of Pozhar nation (book 2). I can't wait to discover how the prophecy of Basilisk god will be fulfilled in book 3. Such a pity that most people won't even bother to give this wonderful series a chance, just because it's BL. Not to mention, there are so many amazing BL fantasy out there that I've read this year that sadly are not popular, most people tend to avoid it if they learned it's BL, they can't stomach the idea of two men as lovers, because "it's not normal for them". Oh well, their loss. ;p
Just like the 1st book, this one is also shelved in my Favorite shelf, because it's the kind of book that I'll reread no matter how many times in my life. So far, I share the same opinion with other readers that this book 2 is the best in the series (well, my opinion might change later after I read all the books in this series), in terms of plot. Well the romance part is kinda set aside for that but that's okay, I'm very very satisfied with this book, as I'm being very picky and easy to DNF novels recently, so when I stamped this as Favorite, trust me it's because the book is successfully wowed me to the point that I was glued to the screen happily. Sleep? Eat? Drink? forget them.
Off to book 3, with great excitement.
January 14, 2024
The second in this series seems to suffer from a bloated cast the same way book #1 did. There are so many characters in such a short book that there's no room for the central figures to be properly unpacked and highlighted. I felt that I had only just met Raz... and then the book ended - he never once felt like a main character. He certainly didn't feel like a romantic leading man, because not only do we not spend enough time with them to see feelings develop, but Dym's feelings and memories are left unexplored so suggesting they're slipping back into a long-standing "situationship" doesn't feel right either.
Where's the editor and why aren't they doing their j0b? I can see how the tapestry of the series is being woven, but it may not be worth sticking with it if there are no real per-book payoffs. It's a 3 star read for the fantasy elements, but I've read enough of Derr's work to know she's better than this.
Where's the editor and why aren't they doing their j0b? I can see how the tapestry of the series is being woven, but it may not be worth sticking with it if there are no real per-book payoffs. It's a 3 star read for the fantasy elements, but I've read enough of Derr's work to know she's better than this.
May 22, 2025
This book did a lot of the heavy lifting for the series as a whole in terms of worldbuilding, and I liked seeing the bigger picture become more clear.
I was initially really disappointed in the choice of main characters - or rather, in the choice of who wasn't a main character for this one. There was much more work done with important side characters in this.
The main romance was once again a lot of fun, if a bit shallow, and while the plot was exciting and I had a great time reading, I once again couldn't help but notice how everything was just very... convenient. But if you read this without looking too hard at the details, and don't ask any questions about the deeper workings on the plot or world, it's a good time.
Though, once again, this desperately needed another round of edits. I also wasn't a fan of the cousin marriage, like was that really necessary??
I was initially really disappointed in the choice of main characters - or rather, in the choice of who wasn't a main character for this one. There was much more work done with important side characters in this.
The main romance was once again a lot of fun, if a bit shallow, and while the plot was exciting and I had a great time reading, I once again couldn't help but notice how everything was just very... convenient. But if you read this without looking too hard at the details, and don't ask any questions about the deeper workings on the plot or world, it's a good time.
Though, once again, this desperately needed another round of edits. I also wasn't a fan of the cousin marriage, like was that really necessary??
November 1, 2019
I was going to give this 4 but I thought it needed a deduction for the reason to follow. Again I absolutly love the story of this book it’s only let down is the language. If your going to give things new names go all out and be consistent and do it with everything, don’t just add a couple of letters or switch a few it’s lazy. There was also more spelling mistakes and words missing where they shouldn’t be or just completely wrong words that don’t fit the sentence what so ever (again if I can notice this, then it’s got to be bad) that being said, I’m really loving the concept and the story itself so I can look past th.
January 12, 2025
MM fantasy romance. In this kingdom, a thousand people will have to be sacrificed to finally kill a god. There are various schemes at play, and thieves play a big part in the final action. Past lives are remembered or referenced.
I was upset when a character we grew to care about was killed.
The ending seemed a bit rushed to me, and once things were as resolved as they were going to get, the next book is teased.
Typos: A few sentence fragments, a horribly constructed sentence, single words spelled as two words, missing comma, missing word, loathe (verb) confused for loath (adj.).
I was upset when a character we grew to care about was killed.
The ending seemed a bit rushed to me, and once things were as resolved as they were going to get, the next book is teased.
Typos: A few sentence fragments, a horribly constructed sentence, single words spelled as two words, missing comma, missing word, loathe (verb) confused for loath (adj.).
Read
October 25, 2025This book needs to come with the warning of HUMAN SACRIFICE. No matter how you pretty it up, a thousand people were killed in nine hundred and thirty-six years, meaning more than one a year, by a single government.
If you can play the mental gymnastics to ignore all that death, there were many entertaining shenanigans. I mean, we only need to experience those human sacrifices twice on page; should be easy. #sarcasm
If you can play the mental gymnastics to ignore all that death, there were many entertaining shenanigans. I mean, we only need to experience those human sacrifices twice on page; should be easy. #sarcasm
December 28, 2018
3.5 stars. I'd give 3, but it has Ailill and Ivan! Dym I couldn't really like.
Also, I wasn't comfortable with all the sacrifices - to kill 1000 innocent people so the god could be resurrected? Just because they carried small piece of god's power in them? That really didn't sit well with me. Otherwise the plot is okay, the story well-paced and it has enough mystery to be quite enjoyable.
Also, I wasn't comfortable with all the sacrifices - to kill 1000 innocent people so the god could be resurrected? Just because they carried small piece of god's power in them? That really didn't sit well with me. Otherwise the plot is okay, the story well-paced and it has enough mystery to be quite enjoyable.
November 12, 2024
I had to fight to finish this book. It was boring, way too many characters to keep up with, which led to not really bonding with any. The sacrifice is meaningless if you don't care about what they achieved. It didn't really feel worth it. And the whole storyline feels way too right wing religious for me. I enjoy this author but this was tedious and disappointing.
June 10, 2024
Much better than the first book.
April 19, 2012
5 Hearts
First published at MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...
Oohh. What can I say to this one except Ooohhh? This is again a revised edition of an original that was posted on Megan Derr’s website and she has changed it up a bit so that even though it still has the original plot and characters the storyline is completely different. High Priest Dym has spent his entire life searching for the Vessels who carry pieces of Zhar Ptitsa’s soul. Now, finally there are only two left. Raz and Pechal are thieves and when the hunt for the new vessel begins Raz is determined that his friend will not be sacrificed and with the help of friends he sets out to avoid the sacrifices.
This is a brilliantly written fantasy that has mystery, intrigue, hunts, twists, danger and a couple of romances. Dym is in charge of the sacrifices to prevent the return of their God Zhar Ptitsa to Pozhar, but everything isn’t as it seems and a faction is trying to prevent the sacrifices from going to the Sacred Fire. Raz is one who doesn’t want to lose his friend to those fires, but even he ends up in danger when he comes face to face with Dym. There is a lot going on, as there are slightly overlapping stories as some actions in this book help with the progress of future books.
The characters in this book are great. There are quite a few of them and some of them are from future books which whets your appetite for those stories. we see Duke Krasny, Lord Ailill (a White Beast of Verde), Shio and Shinju (the mermaid sisters from the end of Treasure), we have new characters Raz, Dym, Zholty and Ivan and his gang and they make it an interesting story with quite a bit of action. Zholty is a sneaky character and is one to keep an eye on, but that isn’t to say that you should take your eyes off the others. There is again as always with Megan Derr inferred sex and we see the relationships building, but the focus is on the fantasy storyline. Can I say any more about this story? Well. Yes. But, then I might give it away and I would hate to ruin the discovery for you, so you really do need to read this book.
What can I say about this one except…damn? I have to read the next books in this series. For those of you who read the original then I say you have GOT to read this book, because there are some significant changes for some characters that will make interesting reading in the future books and it will be interesting to see how these changes affect books 4 and 5. And for those of you who haven’t read this book then what are you waiting for? If you love fantasy, danger, intrigue and a great storyline then you shouldn’t miss this book.
First published at MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...
Oohh. What can I say to this one except Ooohhh? This is again a revised edition of an original that was posted on Megan Derr’s website and she has changed it up a bit so that even though it still has the original plot and characters the storyline is completely different. High Priest Dym has spent his entire life searching for the Vessels who carry pieces of Zhar Ptitsa’s soul. Now, finally there are only two left. Raz and Pechal are thieves and when the hunt for the new vessel begins Raz is determined that his friend will not be sacrificed and with the help of friends he sets out to avoid the sacrifices.
This is a brilliantly written fantasy that has mystery, intrigue, hunts, twists, danger and a couple of romances. Dym is in charge of the sacrifices to prevent the return of their God Zhar Ptitsa to Pozhar, but everything isn’t as it seems and a faction is trying to prevent the sacrifices from going to the Sacred Fire. Raz is one who doesn’t want to lose his friend to those fires, but even he ends up in danger when he comes face to face with Dym. There is a lot going on, as there are slightly overlapping stories as some actions in this book help with the progress of future books.
The characters in this book are great. There are quite a few of them and some of them are from future books which whets your appetite for those stories. we see Duke Krasny, Lord Ailill (a White Beast of Verde), Shio and Shinju (the mermaid sisters from the end of Treasure), we have new characters Raz, Dym, Zholty and Ivan and his gang and they make it an interesting story with quite a bit of action. Zholty is a sneaky character and is one to keep an eye on, but that isn’t to say that you should take your eyes off the others. There is again as always with Megan Derr inferred sex and we see the relationships building, but the focus is on the fantasy storyline. Can I say any more about this story? Well. Yes. But, then I might give it away and I would hate to ruin the discovery for you, so you really do need to read this book.
What can I say about this one except…damn? I have to read the next books in this series. For those of you who read the original then I say you have GOT to read this book, because there are some significant changes for some characters that will make interesting reading in the future books and it will be interesting to see how these changes affect books 4 and 5. And for those of you who haven’t read this book then what are you waiting for? If you love fantasy, danger, intrigue and a great storyline then you shouldn’t miss this book.
August 6, 2015
Entrainant, exaltant, obsédant !
Plus addictif que le premier tome.
Et c'est rien de le dire. On ressort de ce livre comme si on avait accomplit nous-même ces aventures. Tout est bien construit ; les temps de paroles des personnages, leurs interactions. Et lorsque l'on voit à travers l'un d'eux, on est comme aspiré à l'intérieur de leur esprit, comme si il vivait à travers nous... Bluffant !
Ici, on ne trouvera pas de longues phrasées d'explication pour telle ou telle chose, juste ce qu'il faut pour une bonne compréhension de l'intrigue. Et l'épuration rend tout plus intéressant.
Certaines questions trouvent des réponses, d'autres apparaissent. Aussi, d'autres idées sont apparues dans la tête de l'auteur pour notre plus grand bonheur. L'univers dans lequel il a commencé son histoire dans le tome 1 s'étend dans ce tome 2, nous faisant découvrir encore de son potentiel.
Dès les première pages, on est emporté par l'univers et les personnages. Nous sommes constamment soumis à la reflexion. A la notion de bien et de mal en nous donnant différentes perceptions via les camps des personnages montrés. De sorte qu'à aucun moment, on arrive à situer le "bon" camp, et le "bon" choix à faire. Et c'est ce qui fait toute la force du livre. Car en général, ces rôles sont prédéterminés. On sait dès le départ quels personnages vont nous être sympathique, tandis qu'ici, les personnages et la situation sont tellement complexes que tout du long on ne peux pas choisir notre camp.
Ce qui nous tient en haleine. Au fur et à mesure de l'intrigue, on s'emporte, se réjouit, s'insurge, mais à la fin, le sentiment prédominant est toujours l'impatience d'en savoir plus. Connaitre le dénouement devient quelque chose que l'on attend avec impatience. Et on en trépignerait presque.
Une très bonne suite qui atteste la qualité de la série et du talent de l'auteur.
J'ai été soufflé de voir comment l'auteur a su nous donner un tel happy end, en sachant tout le chemin parcouru. C'est en ça qu'elle est talentueuse, car on croit savoir dans quoi on est tombé, et finalement, elle arrive à nous surprendre encore et toujours. Car allier comme elle a pu le faire l'action, le fantastique et le romantisme est un coup de maître.
Un vrai coup de coeur.
Et finalement, au lieu de me perdre en parole, vous n'avez plus qu'à plonger. Lisez-les !!!!
4,7/5
Plus addictif que le premier tome.
Et c'est rien de le dire. On ressort de ce livre comme si on avait accomplit nous-même ces aventures. Tout est bien construit ; les temps de paroles des personnages, leurs interactions. Et lorsque l'on voit à travers l'un d'eux, on est comme aspiré à l'intérieur de leur esprit, comme si il vivait à travers nous... Bluffant !
Ici, on ne trouvera pas de longues phrasées d'explication pour telle ou telle chose, juste ce qu'il faut pour une bonne compréhension de l'intrigue. Et l'épuration rend tout plus intéressant.
Certaines questions trouvent des réponses, d'autres apparaissent. Aussi, d'autres idées sont apparues dans la tête de l'auteur pour notre plus grand bonheur. L'univers dans lequel il a commencé son histoire dans le tome 1 s'étend dans ce tome 2, nous faisant découvrir encore de son potentiel.
Dès les première pages, on est emporté par l'univers et les personnages. Nous sommes constamment soumis à la reflexion. A la notion de bien et de mal en nous donnant différentes perceptions via les camps des personnages montrés. De sorte qu'à aucun moment, on arrive à situer le "bon" camp, et le "bon" choix à faire. Et c'est ce qui fait toute la force du livre. Car en général, ces rôles sont prédéterminés. On sait dès le départ quels personnages vont nous être sympathique, tandis qu'ici, les personnages et la situation sont tellement complexes que tout du long on ne peux pas choisir notre camp.
Ce qui nous tient en haleine. Au fur et à mesure de l'intrigue, on s'emporte, se réjouit, s'insurge, mais à la fin, le sentiment prédominant est toujours l'impatience d'en savoir plus. Connaitre le dénouement devient quelque chose que l'on attend avec impatience. Et on en trépignerait presque.
Une très bonne suite qui atteste la qualité de la série et du talent de l'auteur.
J'ai été soufflé de voir comment l'auteur a su nous donner un tel happy end, en sachant tout le chemin parcouru. C'est en ça qu'elle est talentueuse, car on croit savoir dans quoi on est tombé, et finalement, elle arrive à nous surprendre encore et toujours. Car allier comme elle a pu le faire l'action, le fantastique et le romantisme est un coup de maître.
Un vrai coup de coeur.
Et finalement, au lieu de me perdre en parole, vous n'avez plus qu'à plonger. Lisez-les !!!!
4,7/5
September 10, 2016
Now this was a very interesting second piece to this series. It was quite different in it's weight from the first book, Treasure, and I can see how people would say this one is the better of the two in terms of the story and how it unfolds, though I have to say I love them both equally, but for different reasons.
There was a lot of tragedy in this story in many different facets. What I found really stood out to me was the way you could see so clearly the transition of Raz the street rat, a young man who wanted nothing more than to make enough money to live a happy life in a little house with a garden and the man he quietly loved, to Raz the Firebird, a god that lived a different life, which completely overshadowed the events of his mortal life. It was sad, when I sat and thought about it, how the character I started the story off with slowly faded away until he really did seem to die too. But at the same time, I think it was strangely logical.
It truly is an interesting dilemma to sit down and think about how one might morally grade Dym, simply because there is a strong argument in every direction. But regardless of what he did or what the outcome was, or even his reasons for it, Dym is certainly one of the most layered and well built characters I've seen in a long time. There is no easy way to explain him, and that makes him remarkably real. I both wanted him to stop and continue at the same time, and I applaud Megan for achieving that!
I really felt for these characters and all their tragic love of one form or another. Really, no character's love was happy or quite finished, which makes me curious about how they will come into future books. I'm looking forward to the next volume!
There was a lot of tragedy in this story in many different facets. What I found really stood out to me was the way you could see so clearly the transition of Raz the street rat, a young man who wanted nothing more than to make enough money to live a happy life in a little house with a garden and the man he quietly loved, to Raz the Firebird, a god that lived a different life, which completely overshadowed the events of his mortal life. It was sad, when I sat and thought about it, how the character I started the story off with slowly faded away until he really did seem to die too. But at the same time, I think it was strangely logical.
It truly is an interesting dilemma to sit down and think about how one might morally grade Dym, simply because there is a strong argument in every direction. But regardless of what he did or what the outcome was, or even his reasons for it, Dym is certainly one of the most layered and well built characters I've seen in a long time. There is no easy way to explain him, and that makes him remarkably real. I both wanted him to stop and continue at the same time, and I applaud Megan for achieving that!
I really felt for these characters and all their tragic love of one form or another. Really, no character's love was happy or quite finished, which makes me curious about how they will come into future books. I'm looking forward to the next volume!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2015
Thank all the gods, this was a lot better edited than the previous instalment. There were still too many errors for my taste... which definitely hurt my enjoyment of the book.
I liked the story and, as expected from a Megan Derr's book, the romance and the fantasy. But there were, I think, some holes in the story.
FROM THIS POINT ON, THERE ARE SPOILERS!
*
*
*
Ok, first of all, who the hell poisoned the Tsar, and why nobody seemed to be overly worried about it after it was mentioned? I mean, sure, it's likely that it was the duke, but no evidence was ever found and I felt like everyone let it go. Maybe they did pursue that later, but the way it was written, I got the impression that nobody did.
Then, there's Zhar's resurrection. Didn't we all see it coming? But we can live with some things being predictable. What made me frown is the fact that, yes, Dym helped save his god's life and to bring him back... but he did kill at least 999 people to do it (that is depending on whether or not you count Raz, who aparently was his own person until the god's fragment awoke in him and pretty much obliterated him). Seriously, what of poor Pechal? Raz didn't seem to miss him anymore or anything after he, for all intents, became the god and had Dym for himself.
And what's going to happen with the royal family? The new Tsar might not be too old, but he's obviously not going to marry again, and there seem to be no children in the foreseeable future for either him or the princess.
I hope there's more in the next book in the series, because this one left me with a lot of questions.
I liked the story and, as expected from a Megan Derr's book, the romance and the fantasy. But there were, I think, some holes in the story.
FROM THIS POINT ON, THERE ARE SPOILERS!
*
*
*
Ok, first of all, who the hell poisoned the Tsar, and why nobody seemed to be overly worried about it after it was mentioned? I mean, sure, it's likely that it was the duke, but no evidence was ever found and I felt like everyone let it go. Maybe they did pursue that later, but the way it was written, I got the impression that nobody did.
Then, there's Zhar's resurrection. Didn't we all see it coming? But we can live with some things being predictable. What made me frown is the fact that, yes, Dym helped save his god's life and to bring him back... but he did kill at least 999 people to do it (that is depending on whether or not you count Raz, who aparently was his own person until the god's fragment awoke in him and pretty much obliterated him). Seriously, what of poor Pechal? Raz didn't seem to miss him anymore or anything after he, for all intents, became the god and had Dym for himself.
And what's going to happen with the royal family? The new Tsar might not be too old, but he's obviously not going to marry again, and there seem to be no children in the foreseeable future for either him or the princess.
I hope there's more in the next book in the series, because this one left me with a lot of questions.
December 25, 2012
My one complaint about the first book was that I didn't feel like I got to know any of the characters well enough. That was absolutely resolved in this second book. Even though we spend time in the heads of several different characters, I still felt like I got to know them--especially Dym and Raz and Ivan--much better than I felt like I knew Kin and Kyo.
And what I loved about this one also is that it feels so much more hopeful. Sure, some bad, scary, terrible things happened, but the atmosphere (perhaps because of Raz's innate optimism) never became dark. And things worked out in the end in such a way as to leave me hopeful and trusting that the final end to each sub-story and to the series as a whole will be just as beautiful.
The world continued to be fascinating, and even though I'm only just done with the second book, I can't wait to go back and re-read the series. There are so many moments (looking at the stained-glass windows, for example) where there were elements I know I'll love looking back and remembering but which I simply haven't discovered yet at this point in the series.
Without question my favorite m/m fantasy series I've yet discovered!
And what I loved about this one also is that it feels so much more hopeful. Sure, some bad, scary, terrible things happened, but the atmosphere (perhaps because of Raz's innate optimism) never became dark. And things worked out in the end in such a way as to leave me hopeful and trusting that the final end to each sub-story and to the series as a whole will be just as beautiful.
The world continued to be fascinating, and even though I'm only just done with the second book, I can't wait to go back and re-read the series. There are so many moments (looking at the stained-glass windows, for example) where there were elements I know I'll love looking back and remembering but which I simply haven't discovered yet at this point in the series.
Without question my favorite m/m fantasy series I've yet discovered!
June 9, 2024
The story of the Lost Gods continues here in Pohzar. The timeline from things said in the beginning is a year or two after the first book end.
And once again Megan Derr wrote an amazing epic fantasy! This is one of her stories (and I'd like to believe series) that takes me in and doesn't let me go! There's not a moment that throws me off the story making me wonder hows or whys of whats and that's the magic right there for me. I'm the story's captive and I don't have the will to dissect it.
The one thing that is a minor niggle and I doubt it'll change is the many, Many, MANY typos and editing mistakes. No one beta read this to catch them? Because let me tell you the meaning of a sentence changes greatly when the word should have been "immortality" but the word on the page is "immorality". But still that was only a fleeting thought because how can I spend brain matter there when there's what happens to Pechal? When Raz says to Dym "Why looking at you hurts so much?" Simple, I CAN'T because my heart is in a vice and I'm drowning in tears and feels!
The end is open-ended and I guess it has to do with how everything will play out in the last book.
And once again Megan Derr wrote an amazing epic fantasy! This is one of her stories (and I'd like to believe series) that takes me in and doesn't let me go! There's not a moment that throws me off the story making me wonder hows or whys of whats and that's the magic right there for me. I'm the story's captive and I don't have the will to dissect it.
The one thing that is a minor niggle and I doubt it'll change is the many, Many, MANY typos and editing mistakes. No one beta read this to catch them? Because let me tell you the meaning of a sentence changes greatly when the word should have been "immortality" but the word on the page is "immorality". But still that was only a fleeting thought because how can I spend brain matter there when there's what happens to Pechal? When Raz says to Dym "Why looking at you hurts so much?" Simple, I CAN'T because my heart is in a vice and I'm drowning in tears and feels!
The end is open-ended and I guess it has to do with how everything will play out in the last book.
September 17, 2018
A great continuation of the Lost Gods.
I admit I was a little surprised to see Lord Krasny back in a more elevated role. But getting a little bit of background can make all the difference.
This again is mostly a complex story of Lost Gods with some interesting side stories of mercenaries and thieves. Sadly this one failed to give me a complete HEA for young Pechal, but I guess I can't have everything.
Ivan and Ailills story was a little crude at times, a surprise really as I enjoy Megan Derrs more fade to black sex scenes, but that aside I hope to catch up with this pair later on.
Dym had the biggest love story in this one at he captured my heart. I was reading eagerly to see the out come. I was not disappointed.
Again Miss Derr took me on a mystical voyage full of intrigue, excitement and love.
ETA Still a tearjerker. I still wish we had got look at Pechal's reincarnation.
I admit I was a little surprised to see Lord Krasny back in a more elevated role. But getting a little bit of background can make all the difference.
This again is mostly a complex story of Lost Gods with some interesting side stories of mercenaries and thieves. Sadly this one failed to give me a complete HEA for young Pechal, but I guess I can't have everything.
Ivan and Ailills story was a little crude at times, a surprise really as I enjoy Megan Derrs more fade to black sex scenes, but that aside I hope to catch up with this pair later on.
Dym had the biggest love story in this one at he captured my heart. I was reading eagerly to see the out come. I was not disappointed.
Again Miss Derr took me on a mystical voyage full of intrigue, excitement and love.
ETA Still a tearjerker. I still wish we had got look at Pechal's reincarnation.
February 17, 2025
Another amazing book on this series. I just cannot bring myself to put it down. More and more it reminds me of the writing style from Runemarks by Joanne Harris.
The story was brilliant, I have to admit that until the end I did not know what the High Priest game was. I knew who he was but I did not know what he would do to the last Candidate. I also wasn't sure what he was to Zhar Ptitsa. Although I have to say that the people of Pozhar are not very bright... I mean, killing the god of rebirth by burning him (Helloooo, does the word Phoenix means anything to you guys??).
Second read:
Just as good as the first time. I love this series...
Update:
Just read the re-write and I hate it. It was so much better the first time around. Why the author decided to do it, I cannot fathom!
The story was brilliant, I have to admit that until the end I did not know what the High Priest game was. I knew who he was but I did not know what he would do to the last Candidate. I also wasn't sure what he was to Zhar Ptitsa. Although I have to say that the people of Pozhar are not very bright... I mean, killing the god of rebirth by burning him (Helloooo, does the word Phoenix means anything to you guys??).
Second read:
Just as good as the first time. I love this series...
Update:
Just read the re-write and I hate it. It was so much better the first time around. Why the author decided to do it, I cannot fathom!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2013
A very well constructed story, set in an intriguing universe that stirs your curiousity. The pace of the story is very good, although i feel there was place or ellaborating more - but maybe this feeling is induced by the high number of characters we're dealing with.
That said, the reason I gave this book only 4 stars is that, while it it a very good fantasy story, it is not a very good romance. The plot is so well entrenched, the characters so settled into their roles, but not so much into the romance, as there is literally no room to develop it. It is somehow believable, as it not a completely new love - not exactly- but it leaves you wanting.
All in all, a very good story, but don't expect much in the romance department.
That said, the reason I gave this book only 4 stars is that, while it it a very good fantasy story, it is not a very good romance. The plot is so well entrenched, the characters so settled into their roles, but not so much into the romance, as there is literally no room to develop it. It is somehow believable, as it not a completely new love - not exactly- but it leaves you wanting.
All in all, a very good story, but don't expect much in the romance department.
November 23, 2016
Another amazing book on this series. I just cannot bring myself to put it down. More and more it reminds me of the writing style from Runemarks by Joanne Harris.
The story was brilliant, I have to admit that until the end I did not know what the High Priest game was. I knew who he was but I did not know what he would do to the last Candidate. I also wasn't sure what he was to Zhar Ptitsa. Although I have to say that the people of Pozhar are not very bright... I mean, killing the god of rebirth by burning him (Helloooo, does the word Phoenix means anything to you guys??).
Second read:
Just as good as the first time. I love this series...
The story was brilliant, I have to admit that until the end I did not know what the High Priest game was. I knew who he was but I did not know what he would do to the last Candidate. I also wasn't sure what he was to Zhar Ptitsa. Although I have to say that the people of Pozhar are not very bright... I mean, killing the god of rebirth by burning him (Helloooo, does the word Phoenix means anything to you guys??).
Second read:
Just as good as the first time. I love this series...
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